Curious what people think. The unemployment rate is 2.3%, which is pretty low. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Am I wrong here? The city has invested a lot in new development.
7 upvotes
12 Replies
Theodore Phillips
it depends on the neighborhood
32 upvotes
Maverick S.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem excellent.
I've been here 1 years and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
30 upvotes
Jonathan Ward
I've lived in Old Town for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from Raleigh, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Active local events and festivals
- The nightlife scene is pretty good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Dating scene is rough
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
21 upvotes
sdmind2024
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Baltimore about 5 years ago. The main reasons were weather and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Sadie T.
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The walkability is honestly underrated and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
17 upvotes
Alice
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much growing but now it's solid.
17 upvotes
phoenixheart2025
100%
14 upvotes
Cooper Jackson
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
13 upvotes
Maya Reyes
As someone who grew up here, the quality of life is solid. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much pricey but now it's tough.
12 upvotes
Bennett Gomez
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
11 upvotes
Thomas Long
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in legal. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Hope this helps!.
2 upvotes
Maya P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value traffic, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely better than expected and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Highland) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Not a lot of cultural diversity.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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